#Carlos is back on probation

[ilprinciperosso]

Jeddah rant

There’s only one tiny positive from this shitshow of a race (apart from Charles’ quali lap)... Charles has clearly said in every interview he gave after the race that, although he’s not sure there was much more pace in the car yesterday, he could have tried to close the gap with Lewis, but he was stuck with in a train behind Carlos. He’s not letting the media build up a story on how he was slower than his teammate. Even Fred said in an Italian interview with sky that Charles’ performance was one of the few good things coming out of this gp.

Charles said that it was hard to follow at 1.2-5 seconds behind ‘cause even if he was a bit faster when following that closely he would lose time. He then made a small mistake and completely gave up in the last 4 laps.

Carlos wasn’t faster than Charles yesterday. We could argue they had the same pace on hards, but I honestly don’t see why they didn’t try swapping them (Carlos, honey... Mattia is not there anymore... when they say let’s try something new and let Charles trough ‘cause he's faster you should listen)

I know they're fighting for nothing right now, but the continuous undermining of team orders/suggestions that has been going on it’s ridiculous (I’m not particularly worried about them this year, as I said they’re fighting for nothing and I’m confident Charles would be in front of Carlos in a “normal” race where his car doesn't die on him or he has penalties, but for the next few years). Let’s dream and pretend Ferrari get their shit back together and they’re fighting with Redbull like last year... you can’t have a replay of Silverstone or Austria in the sprint race.

It’s clear to everyone (apart from Marca, but they could be certified as clinically insane) that Charles is the better performing driver at the moment. It’s clear in Ferrari, to the media, to everyone. 

And also... Carlos... this has been one of the worst races for Ferrari in the last 2 years... could you please not say to the media that it has been one of your best races? Think about your PR training for fucks sake! You were overtaken by multiple cars, never put up a fight unlesss it was against your own teammate... it doesn't seem that smart to gloat about your performance honestly...

[paperstorm]

Thanks for the tags @heartstringsduet and @corsage! Have a slightly longer snippet than usual to introduce you to a musician AU I am in the very very early stages of working on. ([Band name] redacted only because I haven't settled on one yet 😂 My dumb brain that loves a pun keeps suggesting Strand and Deliver but that's too silly)

-

TK blinks. For a moment, he’s sure he heard wrong. “A tour?”

“Limited American, to start,” Billy says. “And then expanding to Europe if we can, depending on ticket sales.”

With another blink and a dumbfounded shake of his head, TK reiterates, “You want me to go on a world tour? When I literally just got out of rehab?”

Billy frowns. “Oh, is there like … more shit you need to do? With that?”

“I – not, there isn’t …” TK babbles, unable to adequately voice why he’s reacting this way, because really, Billy isn’t wrong. He finished his 30 days. It’s been two weeks on top of that, and he’s stayed away from anything stronger than a regular strength Tylenol for the headache he had last Thursday. He’s not on probation, he’s not being required to do another month in some kind of halfway house. The only thing on his calendar for the foreseeable future is rotting on his couch with a bowl of cereal and binging some sitcom he’s already watched a million times. He doesn’t really have a good reason that he shouldn’t jump right back into work, he just wasn’t expecting it to happen. He hasn’t even reconnected with his band, yet.

“I’m not gonna force you to do anything,” Billy tells him, folding his hands on his desk and looking at TK with a furrowed brow. “If you don’t think you’re ready, we can put all this on hold until you are.”

“But?” TK asks, sensing there’s a big one coming.

Sniffing loudly, Billy’s hands transfer to his keyboard. It clacks noisily in the quiet room as he types, and then he rotates the monitor so TK can see the screen.

The sight that greets him is a Google search of his own name, and as Billy slowly presses the down arrow on his keyboard, TK’s eyes travel over headline after headline – Musician TK Strand seen emerging from upstate drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility, and Lead singer of [band name] checks out of rehab; fans wonder what’s next for the group, and [Band name]’s critically acclaimed album dropped almost eight months ago, here’s why no one’s heard from them since.

He gets stuck for a moment on a particularly cruel one, questioning whether the band will have what it takes to pick up where they left off after a widely publicized relapse derailed what should have been their biggest tour to date.

“The most surefire way to shut all this up, is to get right back on the horse,” Billy says, in a voice that’s serious but not unkind. “You’ve still got an album full of new songs that your fans are dying to hear live, it’s just a few months later than it was supposed to be.”

“They don’t think I’ve got what it takes.” TK nods toward the computer screen.

Billy rotates it back toward himself so TK can’t see it anymore. “They’re wrong.”

“What if they’re not?”

“Only one way to find out.”

“I guess,” TK concedes, swallowing over his dry throat.

“There’s one more thing.”

“Okay.”

“The label suggested it, just so’s you know.”

“God, what?” TK groans, expecting the worst.

“If you agree to this tour, they want to pick your opener.”

“Oh.” TK frowns. It’s not nearly as bad as some of the things he was imagining. “That’s all?”

Pursing his lips, Billy asks, “You heard of Carlos Reyes?”

The name sounds vaguely familiar, but TK doesn’t recognize it well enough to be positive as he asks, “Carlos … wait, that song that’s been all over TikTok? That people are like hoedown dancing to?”

“That’s the one.”

“He’s a country singer,” TK says, stating what surely must be obvious.

“He is,” Billy agrees without further explanation.

“I don’t feel like we’ll have a ton of crossover fans.”

“He is up and coming.”

“Does he even have more than that one shitty song?”

Billy turns to his keyboard again and shows TK the guy’s Wikipedia page. He’s a year younger than TK and handsome in that wholesome, good Southern boy sort of way, complete with a cross necklace glinting against his clearly shaved chest. As Billy scrolls to the bottom, TK’s gaze catches the information that the lead guitarist and bass player for Reyes’s travelling band are a married couple, and TK barely holds in a scoff.

“He has two albums and an EP,” Billy points out. “He just hasn’t really taken off much, until now.”

Annoyed, TK asks, “And the label thinks, what, we can’t put asses in seats anymore without some lame TikTok star? That I can’t?”

“He’s not a TikTok star, he’s a musician with a growing fanbase. And he’s got a reputation that is not, unlike yours at the moment, covered in shit,” Billy explains in a no-nonsense voice.

“Right.” TK huffs and slides back in his chair. “So, that’s what this is. I was high at a Grammy party three months ago and now my name is mud, so the label wants me to bring some Mouseketeer in a cowboy hat along to calm the shareholders down.”

“I doubt they’d put it exactly that way.” Billy exhales and shrugs. “But basically, yeah. That’s the long and short of it. Reyes and his band are good clean fun, whereas people are still circulating pictures of you almost puking on Ariana Grande, so they’re not willing to put up the money for the tour unless you agree to bring him with you.”

“Fabulous,” TK mutters. “What could go wrong.”

“For the sake of your future in this business, you better hope absolutely fucking nothing,” Billy warns, and it still isn’t unkind, but he isn’t joking.

Tagging @theghostofashton @birdclowns @reyesstrand @strandnreyes @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut

@carlos-in-glasses @actual-sleeping-beauty @thisbuildinghasfeelings @herefortarlos @heartstringduet

@goodways @alrightbuckaroo @lightningboltreader @freneticfloetry

@liminalmemories21 @nancys-braids @whatsintheboxmh @bonheur-cafebonheur-cafe

@reasonandfaithinharmony @thebumblecee @never-blooms @lemonlyman-dotcom

@sanjuwrites @orchidscript @jesuisici33 @kiwichaeng @honeybee-taskforce

@fifthrideroftheapocalypse @butchreyes @just-inside-her @firstprince-history-huh @captain-gillian

@tellmegoodbye @anactualcaseofthetruth @ironheartwriter @eclectic-sassycoweyes @ditheringmind

@emsprovisions @irispurpurea @nisbanisba @corsage @cheekgirl89

Want to be added or removed from the list? Lmk

[mikibwrites]

WIP Wednesday!

One of these days, I will get a cool looking graphic to put on here lol but for now you just get text. I wanted to thank everyone for bearing with me while I recharged and took a break from writing. I also want to thank (and tag back!) those who tagged me in the last couple of weeks: @sanjuwrites @carlos-in-glasses and @lemonlyman-dotcom and also adding @bonheur-cafe and @chaotictarlos who tagged me today along with CIG :) Since I'll be filling wip sharing from the poll, I'm including a bit from something I didn't do for the poll, a selection from my offering for the @tarlosweeklyprompts Back To School prompt list! (If you want to know, I chose prompt #20...)

Nearly dropping his bag, Carlos does his level best to close the door as quietly as he’d opened it–except this time it makes a sound like the crack of a firework in the heavy silence of the hallway when it clicks home, at least to Carlos’ ears–before he all but sprints to the TV lounge down the hall. He throws himself and his bookbag onto one of the unoccupied couches, his brain too stunned to function. 

TK was…he was…

“Hey man, you alright?” asks one of the guys seated around the coffee table, laptop glowing in his face. Carlos can only nod dumbly. “You want one?” the guy questions, holding up and gently shaking the half-empty six pack of cans next to him. “You look like you could use…something.” It’s accompanied by a curious smirk.

Carlos looks sidelong at him–it’s a dry campus and if they’re caught with any alcohol in the dorms it's automatic academic probation. The guy must sense the slant of his thoughts because he plucks a can out of the bunch and holds it label out to Carlos. “Don’t worry, it’s seltzer.” 

Carlos thinks seltzer is the last thing he needs. He needs a shot of whiskey. Or maybe a week in a remote foreign country. Or perhaps to disappear off the face of the earth for all eternity. Anything but ever facing TK Strand again.

Not sure who's done it already, but I'll tag: @sanjuwrites @wandering-night19 @detective-giggles @lightningboltreader @ladytessa74 @taralaurel and @alrightbuckaroo

[landhoe-norris]

carlando headcanon that i really want to turn into a fic. cw for drugs/alcohol

Lando is in his early 20s and flunking out of college because of a drinking problem. He’s been going off the rails throughout his childhood but always manages to hide it well enough to at least function in society, well, until he doesn’t.

His mother threatens to cut him off, tough love and all that, so he decides to go into rehab. But he’s scared about what happens after rehab. How is he gonna be able to function when he’s back in the real world and has to start taking care of himself again?

He wants to take this seriously, so he gets into a sober living arrangement. A group home for adults who have finished rehab but are either) not ready to live alone/go out into the real world, or b) are on probation and have to stay there

It sucks, or that’s Lando’s first thought, at least. The people there are weird, and most of them are so much older, and a lot of them are drug addicts. Lando never did drugs, and he kinda looks down his nose at them.

There’s this one guy, though, who definitely doesn’t look like he belongs there. He’s cute, no scratch that, he’s hot and kinda aloof, which makes Lando want to get to know him more.

But Lando has a boyfriend out in the real world who is waiting for him, so he’s def not interested in anything more with this hot, aloof guy.

And, plus, relationships between housemates are forbidden.

Lando manages to break down the walls that hot, aloof guy has set up. turns out his name is Carlos.

Carlos is recovering drug addict, pills, powder, you name it. He's also on probation for stealing and destroying his boss' car in a drug-induced rage after he was reprimanded at work.

He's incredibly remorseful and wants to do everything to make things right. that included breaking up with his drug-addicted girlfriend before he went to rehab.

The thing is that Lando makes it incredibly difficult for Carlos to keep a distance and keep his heart safely tucked away. Everything Lando does makes Carlos' heart either flutter or race.

Carlos is older, in his late twenties, and he's basically been a functioning addict for a long time until he isn't. until his girlfriend gets addicted to heroin, and he does all that he can to stay with her during that time, even if it means being off his face. Their co-dependency is toxic, and he knows it. He never shoots up, though. There's something stopping him from doing that, this voice in the back of his head that sounds like his mom.

One day, he shows up wasted to work. there's a big corporate thing that day, and he embarrasses both himself and the company he works for.

it's the first time he's ever done something like that, and everyone is shocked. his boss really likes him, he's a good worker, a good human being, and so he only reprimands him. he should be let go, realistically and according to company policy, but his boss just can't do that. Not to Carlos.

Carlos goes home that evening and feels so much remorse, that is until his girlfriend gets into his head, telling him that he doesn't deserve what happened, that this was unfair on him, on her as well because he's gonna lose his bonus this year, and who's gonna take care of her then? She can find somebody else if Carlos isn't man enough to do that.

It fucks with his head and he gets angry. not angry at his gf but angry at his boss. His millionaire boss who owns a penthouse suite and drives a Ferrari. Carlos feels like he deserves more. He deserves that Ferrari.

So the next day, in broad daylight, he smashes the window to the Ferrari as it sits in the executive parking space, manages to jumpstart it (a bad idea since it fries the electronic systems) and barely manages to drive it out into the streets before he's being rammed into by another car.

He's fired.

Carlos gets off with probation since it's his first offence, but he has to complete a 9-month rehab stay and then live in the sober house for a year.

So it's safe to say that Carlos has been burned and doesn't need any more empty smiles and dead eyes to fall in love with. Except Lando is the opposite of that. He's excitable like a puppy, earnest and loving and cares so much about others, too much even. So yeah, Carlos falls in love with Lando, probably even before Lando falls in love with Carlos. But there are still a couple of things.

Dating in the sober house is not allowed. Not under any circumstances. The worst thing an addict can do is start a relationship while in recovery. And Carlos needs to take his recovery seriously.

There's also the slight problem of Lando's boyfriend, Daniel.

Daniel, the party boy, who keeps trying to tempt Lando with alcohol. He visits him with vodka in a water bottle or jellos that have been soaked in liquor. "Lando treats" he calls them, but Lando doesn't ever take any. But he's not strong enough to push him away, to tell him to stop. and it's not Carlos' place to do it.

And then there's Carlos' ex, who finally decides to get her life back together only to show up at the same sober house two months into Lando's stay there, and Lando feels nothing but jealousy coursing through his veins as he sees the bond between her and Carlos.

How could Carlos ever want him? He doesn't act like that around Lando. He doesn't have a special smile just for him. It's a game that Lando isn't quite sure he's ready to play. He's not sure he can withstand the pain.

Carlos' ex-girlfriend can't function sober, and she ends up leaving. If you leave, you can't come back, and Carlos frantically tries to search for her so that she can get a second chance. Lando comes with him, and they find her where she and Carlos used to live together, and she's too far gone, strung out again. Carlos realises he has to let her go for the last time. He can't keep saving her, but it really fucks with his head, so he pushes Lando away.

He pushes Lando back into Daniel's arms, and that's kind of dangerous cause, stupidly, Lando has attached his sobriety to Carlos, and if Carlos doesn't even want him sober, then what's the point?

Lando almost breaks his sobriety as he goes to a party with Daniel, but he calls Carlos instead, who comes and helps him from the situation. Lando cuts all ties with Daniel in the process.

But that's when they realise that they can't happen. It's too much of a risk loving someone who is in the throes of addiction. Lando asks to be transferred to a different sober house. He needs to take his sobriety seriously, and he can't be a burden on Carlos anymore.

He can't be the reason that Carlos fails. He would never forgive himself.

Lando was only supposed to be there for six months, and he's already done four, and when he moved in, Carlos was on month six.

So they're getting out into the real world at the same time. Lando six months sober, and Carlos 12 months sober.

It's a risk

But it's a risk they're willing to take.

They meet on the day Lando moves out from the sober house and exchange sobriety chips. Six months for Lando and 1 year for Carlos.

They promise to be each other's keepers and to love and honour their relationship. It's difficult, especially when Lando goes back to university with temptations all around, but every time he feels himself about to misstep, he calls Carlos. His one true north that guides him back on the straights. And then, after a long and hard day, he comes home to Carlos, who is working from home, and falls into his arms, and that's all the high either of them ever needs.

[ausetkmt]

Mississippi law says indecent exposure is a misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine or less than six months imprisonment for adults. Chandler said the Youth Court Act allows officers to file a referral against children 10 years old if they commit an act otherwise illegal if they were an adult.

Updated as of 12/14/2023 at 10:20 p.m. ET

A 10-year-old boy was just handed a sentence in youth court following an incident that shocked the nation: a Mississippi officer tried to put him in cuffs for peeing in a parking lot.

Third grader Quantavious Eason was apprehended on Aug. 10 after a Senatobia police officer spotted him relieving himself next to his mother’s car while she was inside an attorney’s office. Attorney Carlos Moore argues any child would’ve done the same thing, considering he couldn’t locate a bathroom.

After she gave Quantavious her “You know better, don’t do that ish again,” talk, Eason said the officer let them off with a warning. However, the situation she thought was handled escalated only moments later.

Authorities say Quantavious wasn’t handcuffed but was taken down to the police station while his mother, Latonya Eason, followed. However, even after explaining the circumstances, the cops weren’t willing to let him off easy.

Read more from NBC News:

Quantavious was charged in youth court with being a child in need of supervision, Moore said. The child is required to check in with a probation officer once a month for three months, Moore said. “We are not going to appeal. He will not have a criminal record, this is probation. And he is a fan of Kobe Bryant, so he doesn’t mind writing the two-page report,” Moore said. “But, still, the principle of it — he should not have to do anything. He should be enjoying his Christmas holiday like the other kids.”

Eason isn’t letting up off the police, though: She announced her intentions of filing a lawsuit, claiming the only reason her son was approached by police was because of his skin color.

“My son is going through enough getting arrested and then for him having to see a probation officer and then write an essay, I don’t think it’s right or it’s fair,” she said.

Read more from CNN:

Then four other Senatobia police officers, including a lieutenant arrived, according to Eason. She said her son was arrested, put in a police vehicle and taken to a police station. Eason said the arresting officer said he had to take action. He “was like, ‘Yeah, I got to arrest him. He can’t do that.’ He made my son get out of the car, told my baby to put his hands behind his back and they took him to the patrol car.” Senatobia is located in northern Mississippi, less than 30 miles south of the Tennessee state line.

Though Senatobia Police Chief Richard Chandler asserted Quantavious wasn’t handcuffed in the incident, Moore said in a press conference that he was held in a cell for nearly an hour awaiting Youth Court Referral paperwork before being released back to his mother.

Mississippi law says indecent exposure is a misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine or less than six months imprisonment for adults. Chandler said the Youth Court Act allows officers to file a referral against children 10 years old if they commit an act otherwise illegal if they were an adult.

He admitted that it was an error in judgement for the boy to be taken down to the station in a patrol car when his mother was present.

Following an internal investigation, one officer involved in the arrest left the department, per CNN’s report. However, Eason wants an apology and accountability from the rest of the officers.

“Termination ain’t good enough. You don’t let him just resign after he placed my son in the backseat of a car. You put my child in a cage like he was a dog or something,” she said. “My child didn’t deserve that.”

Moore said in a press conference they will file a federal lawsuit alleging Fourth and Fourteenth amendment violations.

[conandaily2022]

What Willimantic, Connecticut's Michael Reese did to missing nurse

Michael Carlos Reese, 38, is a convicted sex offender with violent tendencies. He lived at a halfway house in Willimantic, Windham, Windham County, Connecticut, United States while on probation with an ankle monitor. The house can hold up to two convicted sex offenders who served prison time and were transitioning back into the community. It is a part of a Re-Entry Assisted Community Housing…

[rmd-writes]

Okay wow, you all really picked this up and ran with it while I was asleep, which I was absolutely not expecting because I figured this was definitely a very silly thing that only I (and maybe Lola if she saw it) would think about because apparently even while on a break I can’t completely turn off my work brain.

Having read all of the tags and additions to this post, and considered the suggestions I received via anon ask and DM, these are my findings:

@this-is-bwr informed me that Texas has a Title in Death Deed option which allows someone to list a beneficiary on the title so that on their death the property will pass to Person B without the need to go through the probate process. I looked into this, but listing someone on a TODD doesn’t grant ownership and wouldn’t have made TK a half-owner of the property. Carlos seems like the kind of person who would absolutely have done this and assigned the property to TK thus “putting him on the deed”. But as I said, this doesn’t give TK any ownership of the property.

Anon (I hope you see this because I’m answering your asks here!) helpfully told me that Texas has General Warranty and General Special Warranty Deeds which apparently only require the signature of the seller (which blows my mind tbh). But, this doesn’t do away with the need to sign a contract of sale which most definitely needs the signature of all buyers.

@sunflowersilva posits that perhaps in amongst the need to get their lives back together post-fire, there was so much paperwork that Carlos was bringing things home for TK to sign so often that he started just signing documents without looking at them because he trusts Carlos implicitly 🥺 A) NEVER DO THAT NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU TRUST SOMEONE ALWAYS KNOW WHAT YOU’RE SIGNING B) I think this is plausible on TK’s part even if Gwyn would have his head for it C) would Carlos do this? I’m not sure.

There was some discussion in the comments about TK signing a POA and I think that this is extremely unlikely given he didn’t have a will. This boy did no planning for his potential incapacitation, despite the frequency with which it happens.

Anyway, my initial instinct and @guardian-angle22 ‘s point is correct - the writers do not care one iota for logistics or reality and I have spent far too much time thinking about this 😅

Also, go read @lightningboltreader ‘s addition because it’s delightful and I can absolutely picture everyone just bending over backwards to break the rules for Carlos because he’s so hot

Things I am pondering at 11pm as I do my skincare: how the fuck did Carlos buy a property with TK’s name on the title without TK signing a contract?!

*googles Texan property law*

[thepavementsings-archive]

PavementSings’ Definitive Driver Rankings*

Doing this before the season starts because there are some new people following this blog and this is what you can expect from me. I’m sorry but also not at all. 3 lists because this is how I am also this has nothing to do with talent level ok BYE

1) Drivers as Professional Athletes™️ that I watch do the sport

2) Drivers as blorbos from MY shows (aka my paper dolls) 

3) Drivers as blorbos from other people's’ shows 

[doublel27]

Knight in Shining Armor - T - 2.2K (part 1)

TK Strand/Carlos Reyes - Hospitalizations - 3x04 CODA/Deleted Scene - bad nurses 

Read on AO3

Waking up is like drifting up on a warm current of air, until his eyes open. The light of the hospital room is harsh but the man sitting by his bed is incredibly soft. Carlos seems to have drifted off in the chair beside the bed in the same outfit he was wearing the last time TK woke up. If TK could keep his eyes open and string together more than a handful of words at a time, he would force Carlos to go home, shower, and sleep. But even thinking makes his head hurt from the effort. 

He does manage to convince his fingers to wiggle slightly, giving Carlos’s hand a light squeeze. Probably more like a graze. Carlos startles, even at the light touch, and TK watches his face shift from fear to a blank slate and then a soft smile.

“Hey babe,” Carlos says, shifting slowly. “Thought you might sleep a little longer. You were just out for the MRI an hour ago.”

Somehow he remembers his dad’s house and his mother and Carlos in a jumbled mess. He focuses on Carlos. “Not dreaming?”

“What, dreaming about me?” Carlos shudders a little, and TK wants to take his question back. “No, this is horrifyingly real, TK. I would appreciate it if we could start going at least an entire year before the next hospital stay.”

“Doghouse,” TK says, with a smirk. Attempted smirk. His lip moves, at least. 

“You’re on—” Carlos's voice cracks and TK cannot figure out why. He should know. “Probation,” he says finally, swallowing heavily. “We’ll see how this period goes.”

“Yes, officer.” So his wink is more of a blink, or just him fluttering his eyes closed because they’re heavy. 

Carlos laughs, real and warm and TK is pretty sure that he could live in that laugh. As cold as he is from this latest brush with death, the lack of Carlos the last three months had been even colder. TK pushes his eyelids back open and basks in the sunshine of Carlos’s smile. 

He’s not sure how much time passes, with Carlos playing with his hair and talking to him. TK tries to keep on top of the threads of conversation, but there’s stories about Paul and his dad who he saw at some point last night, he thinks. Nancy and Marjan are bringing…food, what kind TK cannot remember. He’s also not sure he wants to eat. Unless it’s cookies. Those were really good fake cookies.

The door slides open and the whole temperature of the room changes. TK is suddenly outside again and Carlos is stiff as a board. He’s also standing up.

“No,” Carlos says, his voice rough. TK follows his gaze to see two nurses in the room. The worst part of hospitals, as well as the beds and the food, is the constant interruptions. TK remembers Carlos saying it hasn’t been long since the last tests. It’s nice that Carlos wants to give him a break, but the more they do, the sooner TK gets to leave. He reaches for Carlos’s hand. Where did it go? 

“Baby, is okay.”

Carlos doesn’t seem to hear him. TK watches as his jaw clenches in the way that makes the vein stick out. TK likes that vein when Carlos isn’t mad at him. “Get out,” Carlos growls.

“Carlos.” TK tries again. He reaches for Carlos’s hand again but misses. 

“Sir—” One of the nurses says, “we said we were sorry about—” Read the rest of Chapter 1 on AO3

[ilprinciperosso]

Carlos is back on probation…

He messed up at the swimming pools and then slowed down (don’t come at me saying he needed to slow down to prepare the following lap cause he then pitted)

If you mess your own lap up you don’t need to mess your own teammate’s lap too

[cadetcama]

hi, i love your hsmtmts headcanons! if it's not too much trouble could you write some about ricky and gina addressing all the stuff that led to them avoiding eachother, and getting their old friendship back? think all the rinas need it after the finale :)

"If it's not too much trouble" - friend, I LIVE for asks like these. It may take me a minute, but it's just because I'm THINKING!

Timing-wise, we'll say this happens a few days/maybe a week after EHS drops out of the Menkies

Post-breakup and having started therapy, Ricky's looking back on the last year and realizing how much he messed up in places

He also realizes... he misses Gina

Now that he's not distracted by the musical, or his relationship with Nini, he has a lot more time to THINK and missing Gina is primarily what he realizes

So he and his therapist devise a plan

Ricky shows up at the Caswell/Porter house with some nice yarn, some truly terrible cupcakes, and an apology

"I'm sorry I hurt you. I'm sorry I handled things the way that I did. I'm sorry for asking for your advice all the time - especially at Carlos's birthday"

The primary point of the apology is "I miss being your friend"

Because Ricky knows he fucked up and doesn't want to mess things up more than he already has

"I miss being your friend. How we always understood each other. I even miss you making fun of me"

But at the end of day, it's for Gina to decide what happens next. So the apology ends with"

"I'm ready when you're ready. If that never comes, I understand."

Gina listens to all of this with a stony face, but does accept the cupcakes and the yarn, and says "thank you for the apology. I'll think about it" (because she's not RUDE, okay?)

Which Ricky takes as a victory because he wasn't even expecting her to come to the door

But she did, and she said she'd think about it so Ricky's like !!!

Cause she needs to process her emotions

So over the next few days, Gina processes and talks to Ashlyn about it A LOT

And Ricky leaves her be! He gets that it won't be an instant thing.

Gina's also got whatever she's got going on with EJ and Ricky doesn't want to get involved with that.

He's not trying to step on her relationship or make things harder for her; he just misses her

And she misses him too, but she's also proud

And scared of being hurt again

But people deserve second chances right?

Ashlyn has to remind her that if she wants to be friends with Ricky again, she's going to have to RESPOND to his peace offering

Because at this point its been like 4 days of silence and awkward passing each other in the halls

Gina's like "how?? make him another hat??"

Ashlyn's like "or... you could see if he wants to hang out?"

So Gina does

She tells Ricky he's on "friend-probation" because its not like they can just jump to how things were before Thanksgiving

Ricky would take his probationary status very seriously

He plans hang outs, with the group and just with each other and also a couple of one-on-one hangouts that are just to hash out the past and move forward

Gina sets very clear boundaries and expectations because she's still scared and he's still on thin ice

(He gets on thicker ice really quickly but she cant let him know that)

[poeedamerons]

busco en la memoria una señal (diga que no me olvidaras)

Day 1 of 9-1-1 Lone Star Week  —   Read it on A03

Carlos parter, Officer Parish is the one to tell him all about his accident, how a branch fell right off a tree onto his head. Lucky for him, the branch was not big enough to cause too much damage, other than a mild concussion.

But that did not stop him from going out like a light as soon as it hit his head, and Carlos was rushed to the ER by the EMT team on site. It didn’t take him long to wake up, but the medical staff fussed all over him and kept him on probation despite him looking no worse for the wear.

Carlos doesn't really mind being looked over and understands the seriousness of his injury, but staying on a hospital bed when he feels mostly fine — even if his head throbbed a little — is something Carlos absolutely loathes.

Then again, according to Parish, Michelle was in one of her moods after Carlos got hit and he is not at all eager to deal with that anytime soon, so maybe lingering on a hospital bed, far from her reach for time being didn’t sound entirely unpleasant.

It turns out that Carlos did, in fact, have some side effects from the blow. What clued them all in was the arrival of a certain firefighter, that crossed the threshold of the room looking dishevelled, out of breath, eyes brimming with concern.

At first, the arrival of the stranger meant nothing to Carlos, he only took a quick glance at said man entering the room before looking back at the doctor in front of his bed, but grew more wary as the stranger approached his bedside and started asking a million questions in one breath. 

Carlos cocked his head in confusion and wonder of who the good looking stranger might be and why he was talking to him, but the look on his face was the cue the doctor needed to ask if he knew the man in question.

Inexplicably, Carlos is hesitant in giving his answer - oddly afraid of hurting the stranger - but he lightly shakes his head and his brows draw together as he registers how his answer throws the other man’s countenance off. That’s not a look that Carlos wishes to see again, it tugs a knot in his heart and he has no idea why.

The doctors said the memory loss would be a temporary situation and Carlos certainly hoped they were right about that. It isn’t as if most of his life is suddenly gone from his memory. Carlos is certain he remembers his life, it’s just the gaps of recent months and things like TK’s — Carlos learns that is the name of the stranger — existence that is missing from his mind.

If asked about it Carlos would never be able to explain how or why he ends up in TK's care after he is discharged. No one even questions the man’s presence by his side. The medical staff defered to TK when talking about what precautions should be taken at home and Carlos was too flabbergasted to speak.

The drive home is uneventful and gives Carlos new opportunities to observe the other man.TK fills their time with clever and nonsensical talk that gets Carlos laughing, carefree all the way. He does notice the furtive glances TK throws in his direction and Carlos tries not to find it completely endearing, but that is a battle he lost before it even began.

As they pull into Carlos driveway, he can’t help but wonder about TK’s role in his life, because he is aware that TK did not ask for directions to his house, he drove them through the streets of Austin like it was a second nature to him, the path from the hospital to his house one that TK’s very familiar with. That is enough evidence in Carlos' judgment to suggest that TK is no mere acquaintance and that they have a deeper relationship than the few months they knew each other.

Carlos decides then that he will wait for the right moment when they are properly set up inside his house to ask TK more questions about himself because, ever the cop, Carlos is eager to start filling the missing puzzles in his mind and TK is a big one, without a doubt.

“Are you hungry?” TK asks him, a gentle smile adorning his face as they drop their stuff in the living room. “I could make you something to eat. I know hospital food isn’t up to your high standards.” TK lips curl conspiratorially, like that knowledge about Carlos amuses him more than anything else in the world.

Carlos can’t help but grin back. If TK knows that about him, he must know him pretty well. “Yes,” He calls back as he settles down on the couch, facing TK. “But I don’t remember how talented you are,” He teases the other man. “I might be setting myself up to eat something even worse than hospital food.” 

“You injure me, sir!” TK replies in mock insult, clutching a hand over his heart. Carlos chuckles at TK’s theatrics. 

“I will have you know that while I might not make tamales to die for, but I'm a pretty decent cook.” TK says but his eyes sparkle with delight over their little exchange.

Carlos amusement dies on his lips, staring at TK, eyes wide and mouth open in surprise.

“What?” TK asks, dumbfounded at the sudden change in Carlos' expression. 

“Have I…” Carlos' voice trembles, feeling choked up. “Have I made you tamales before?” Carlos' heart is beating fast, like it wants to be free from it’s cage. He can feel the blood rushing through his veins, warmth spreading all over him.

“Yes, many times,” TK hesitates, eyes scanning Carlos' face for any indication of what just happened. “Is there something wrong, Carlos?” TK asks weakly, his early cheery mood suddenly gone.

“No, no…” Carlos licks his dried lips. “Nothing is wrong.” Carlos' murmurs. “I would love to see how decent you are at cooking, especially when you set the bar so low for yourself as an improvement from hospital food.” He tries to switch back to their earlier mood, hoping TK won’t question it further.

“You got it, officer.” TK throws him a wink and swings back to man the kitchen.

It all makes sense to Carlos now. He and TK are dating, and that is why no one even batted an eye when TK showed up and kept Carlos company. Austin Memorial is one of their to go places, so the staff is familiar with a good number of the first responders that constantly show up with some occupational hazard. Since Carlos did not recognize TK, they must have decided not to overwhelm him with the fact that he didn’t remember who his own boyfriend was.

TK is really something special for handling it all like a champ, not saying a word and not making a move to make him feel uncomfortable. He had been nothing but thoughtful and tender since they left the hospital. No wonder he made his marriage tamales, not once but several times.

Carlos smiles thinking that he did pick a good one, and really easy on the eyes as well. TK was a hunk of a man.

When his mother taught him and his sisters how to make her famous tamales, she made them promise that they wouldn’t make it for anyone but for the person they wanted to marry, their other half. Carlos and his sisters, being die hard romantics, took their promise to heart. So far Valentina and Sofía had only cooked their mami’s marriage tamales for their now husbands.

If Carlos made them for TK, it can only mean one thing: he’s hopelessly in love. Carlos' heart fills with warmth and joy for having found his other half in TK. His heart swells remembering how delighted TK's voice sounded when he talked about Carlos tamales and is sure an affectionate look adorns his face.

Carlos marvels as TK cooks them dinner and there’s no denying the man is used to the place. He knows where Carlos keeps everything. He doesn't’ waver for a moment, looking absolutely comfortable in Carlos' kitchen, like that is a natural occurrence…. and Carlos figures it is.

He figures they are not yet on the ‘living together’ stage yet, but to Carlos it looks like it’s just a matter of time. A smile tugs at the corner of Carlos' lips and he tries to fight it, certain it will become a shit eating grin of triumph.

TK was his boyfriend for sure.

“So, how long have we been together?” Carlos breaths, eager to know more about them.

TK looks up, quirking his eyebrows. “Together?” 

Carlos rolls his eyes indulgently before repeating his question. “How long have we been dating?” 

“We are not together.” TK states, a little strained, his face blank.

“Did we break it off?” Carlos pouts, confused. If they broke it off then why did TK show up in the hospital looking like he had run a marathon to get there? Why did he look so worried? Were they still on a friendly enough basis that TK would still worry for his well being?

“No, I mean…” TK pauses, rubbing his forehead before continuing. “We are kind of hooking up?” He shrugs his shoulders.

Oh. Carlos is speechless and feels his heart drop to the pit of his stomach. If he made TK tamales and they are just ‘hooking up’, then Carlos must be more invested than TK. Carlos knows his heart just broke a little in that moment, and he wants to punch himself for being so stupid and setting himself up for a heartbreak. TK isn’t in love with him. 

He wants to throw up just thinking that this might be how TK acts around everyone and it's not just something special for him. He just can't believe he would break his promise over someone that considers him a… booty call.

It just doesn't add up.

God, his mami would be so disappointed in him, actually, she wouldn’t, she would be sad,  just like he is. He still doesn't remember anything about his and TK’s relationship — if one can call it that — but he feels the loss keenly.

“Why do you ask that?” TK’s voice takes Carlos from his internal struggle. 

Carlos ponders at how he should proceed forward with this conversation. TK has the upper hand of knowing their story, for a lack of better word, and Carlos would be shooting in the dark all through it… but isn’t lack of communication what apparently led them to this moment? Because TK does appear to be clueless about the meaning of the tamales and even about how deep Carlos' feelings were running before the accident earlier today. He decides on saying the truth, better clear any misunderstanding than playing whatever game it is that they got themselves into.

“TK..” Carlos' clears his throat. “I don’t remember you or us.” He states matter of factly, hoping TK would not be hurt by it. “So, I don’t understand the reasons behind a lot of things I’ve witnessed today.” Carlos takes a deep breath, hoping for strength, but he just feels defeated. 

“But when you said I had made you those tamales… they have meaning for me, for my family.” He chances a glance up and visibly sees TK flinching. “My mami taught me and my sisters how to make it and they are meant for a special person in our lives,” He didn’t need to tell TK the whole marriage part, did he? It was all very serious already. “A really special person.” Carlos catches TK’s eyes in hope that he can convey through them his true meaning, and by how TK’s eyes widen, he is sure he understood it.

“So I just...thought that meant we were together.” Carlos swallows dry and avoids TK’s stare. “I’ve never cooked them before.” He admits it hollowly. Carlos knows that this is it, this is how things with TK will go south. He doesn't know how he knows it ,he just has a gut feeling.

Carlos doesn't dare to steal a look at where TK is standing, afraid of what he might see, but he just can’t bring himself to fill in the awkward silence that took over the room. He glues his eyes to the upholstery as he tried to blink away the tears.

“I…” Carlos hears TK’s  breathing grow uneven. “I can’t, Carlos. This… this is all too much.”

Against his better judgment, Carlos peeks at TK and he looks...agitated. His pupils dilated, his hands fumbling with the sleeves of his shirt and his teeth gnaws at the loose skin on his lips. Carlos does not know what to say, he can hardly process TK’s erratic behavior.

TK starts pacing between the small space from the kitchen to the  living room. “This is not what I signed up for, not what we agreed..” TK blurts in accusation and Carlos flinches. 

“You know —” TK stops mid sentence, because before the accident Carlos did know, the one in front of him now has no idea whatsoever. “I’m just not good with relationships and I’ve told you before. You knew this, Carlos.” TK emphasis feels like a sucker punch. “I’ve told you so many times how hard this is all for me, plus the move and my dad—” TK’s voice turns into a whine, running his fingers through his hair while pacing back and forth, practically caving a hole through the ground floor. “I just can’t believe you would not get that.” TK sighs.

Carlos wants to say something, but what? God, this is messed up and Carlos can’t help but feel a little guilty for TK’s reaction. While one can’t fight how their feelings develop, if TK told him about his struggles, keeping the charade in hopes that TK would eventually keep up was not his brightest moment; but Carlos knew himself. He wears his heart on his sleeve. Even if TK was unaware of the importance behind the tamales, Carlos is very affectionate and TK would have to be really emotionally obtuse not to realise the magnitude of Carlos feelings.

They were both idiots.

“Honestly, Carlos.” TK tsked, irritated. “You always knew and to do this...I’m sorry, but I’m gonna go.” TK reaches for his jacket, wallet and keys on the table and Carlos just watches him. “I will call Michelle and ask if she can check on you, I’m just not in the mood right now.” 

Before Carlos can even put a word in, TK is pulling the door close with a loud thud that makes Carlos flinch a little. It would be a lie if he said that the fact that TK didn’t look at him even once doesn't sting.

------------------------------------------

The knock on his front door startles him. Carlos isn't waiting for any visitors and it was past ten o’clock and he frowns, thinking who could be at this hour. Looking through the peephole, Carlos leans his forehead on the door and sighs heavily.

A part of him wants to pretend he did not listen to the knock on his door, but his lights are on and TK probably saw that as he walked through the front yard, so TK would know he was being ignored. Which all things considered wouldn't be all bad.

But the other side of him wants to open the door and take whatever TK throws against him once more. Carlos knew there was never really a doubt on what he was going to do.

"Hey," TK greets him awkwardly. "I hope I’m not bothering you this late". TK bites his lips and Carlos can't help but trace the movement. 

"I was just about head out to bed," Carlos replies, restrained. He really has no idea what TK is doing on his front door at this hour, after everything, but he could really use the distance. Plus he was too emotionally tired to have this conversation.

“I…” TK's voice comes out broken. He sighs, looks at the ground and bites his upper lip, uncertain. Carlos really can’t with this man right now.  

“Listen,” TK stars over, this time his voice firm and he looks Carlos straight in his eyes. “I know you are upset. You have the right to be, but can I please come in and talk to you?” TK pleads. “I swear I will say what I have to say and after that I will keep my distance, okay?”

Carlos really wants to say no. He is too caught up in his emotions right now and he needs a break. Having TK this close would be the exact opposite of that, but if he learned something over the last two days — as if by magic, several memories were just there, like they never left him in the first place — it is that Carlos is weak for TK Strand.

It's a feeling that Carlos can’t explain, but TK means so much to him —  TK means everything to him. He is under his skin and etched on his heart — and even if he isn’t in the mental state for this, he knows he will say ‘yes’ because Carlos is weak and greedy for TK. That is why Carlos makes TK tamales, even if there is no chance of reciprocity. He’s hopelessly in love and doomed to feel it fiercely.

“Sure,” Carlos answers and shrugs. “Come in.” He makes way for TK to come in and closes the door behind them. Carlos slowly makes his way towards the center of the living area, unsure if he should sit somewhere or if he should just stand his ground. 

TK isn’t having a better time, Carlos notices, as he as well stands awkwardly in the middle of his living area, looking around him, a small container tucked in one of his hands.

“Carlos,” TK begins. “I know my response was a bit reluctant the other day.” 

Carlos snorts at that. 

“Okay, I freaked out and it was uncalled for.” Carlos did hate how TK could easily make him smile, even in a moment like this. “I shouldn’t have panicked like that, specially when you had just gotten out of the hospital and were still trying to figure things out, but I was taken back with everything.” TK has the decency to look contrite.

Carlos is proud of holding TK’s apologetic glance, but face blank, without uttering a word in reply, daring the other to keep going or leave if he couldn’t do this.

“I really should have been more rational, and known you didn’t remember my track record with relationships that day… and I—” TK’s voice falters and closes his eyes for a moment. “I messed up.” Carlos can see TK is twisting his foot on the ground and has to bite the inside of his mouth to keep the smile off his face at TK’s childish mannerism. “I just… like you a lot. And I’m so fucked up.” TK swallows the burning feeling on his throat. “I still have no idea what you see in me. Like you could have anyone, you are amazing, yet your eyes are always on me,” TK’s eyes fill with tears, but Carlos could see his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down several times before he got out the words. “And I feel so special and loved, but I also feel like running before you look too long and start seeing the cracks.” TK laughs bitterly, tears now flowing freely.

Carlos has to fight the urge of comforting TK. All he really wants is to wrap him in a hug and whisper sweet nothings into his ear, washing his insecurities away; but he stands his ground. If TK wants him, he will have to say the words. Carlos is done playing games.

“And when you do, it will all be over.” TK whispers, tugging his sleeves over his tearful cheeks. If the house hadn’t been in complete silence, Carlos fears he might not have listened. “These past two days, I couldn't stop thinking about you and what you told me.” He sniffs. “No one has ever made me feel as special as you, Carlos. You made those tamales for me even though I'm a trainwreck.” TK bites back a sob and Carlos digs his nails into the palms of his hands, hanging by the last thread of his willpower. Carlos is positive his face is twisted with pain. “And that’s all I ever wanted: to be loved and cherished, like you’ve done for me from day one.” TK's eyes are shining with tears but he locks them with Carlos' anguished ones. “Even If I tried not to, I couldn’t help but fall in love with you, Carlos.” 

Carlos' heart was ringing on his ears. This was not the “It’s-not-you-it’s-me” speech he was expecting when he opened the door. TK just admitted to being in love with him and Carlos froze, overcome with joy and disbelief. He wanted to finally allow himself to reach for TK, but he was  greedy when it came to TK Strand and now he wants it all.

TK walks closer to where Carlos is standing in small, tentative steps. “You told me that in your family when you find your special someone, you cook them tamales.” TK gives him a small smile as he closes the gap between them. “I made these for you.” TK says as he opens the lid of the container in his hands. Carlos peers down at the content of the box and almost chokes. He whips his head up, eyes meeting TK longing ones.

Tamales.

TK made him tamales.

"TK…" Carlos whispers, overwhelmed.

“I called your mother and asked her for the recipe.” Carlos' eyes widened at TK’s revelation. TK bites his bottom lip and breaks their stare. “I’m sorry,” Carlos can hear the anxiety in TK’s voice. “I know I crossed a line, I mea—”. Carlos interrupts TK, lunging in for a kiss, wrapping his free arm around TK’s neck. As soon as their lips connect TK moans and Carlos can't help but surge forward, in an effort to deepen their kiss and grind their hips closer.

He missed kissing TK. The taste of his lips is always enough to drive Carlos up through the walls. They broke their kiss so they could breathe, but Carlos quickly chased TK’s lips again, trying to nip TK’s swollen pink lips and TK couldn’t help but laugh at Carlos' antics.

Carlos' heart is bursting with joy. The sound of TK’s laugh echoes like sweet music to his ears. He couldn’t believe TK cooked him his family’s marriage tamales. God, TK faced his mami without his backup just so he could get the recipe. He isn’t the possessive type, but there was not a chance in hell Carlos is ever letting TK go now. He is keeping him.

TK eventually allows Carlos to nip his lips playfully, smiling at each other like fools in love. “Does that mean you like it?” TK asks, looking dazed and Carlos leans in and rubs their noses together in eskimo kisses. He knows TK will never admit that he loves when Carlos does that. 

“I can’t believe you, TK.” Carlos' voice is in awe. “I can’t believe you called my mother.”

“You’re not upset?” TK asks against Carlos lips, still unconvinced.

Carlos rubs their noses gently one more before going for a quick peck. “No,” Carlos replies cheerily, a huge smile on his face. “But now you are stuck with me, buddy, because not only have you sealed the deal with the tamales, but Carlota Reyes will never let me live this down and you are going to suffer with me for the rest of your life since it’s all your fault.”

TK answers him with the most delicious peal of laughter and Carlos takes a step back to place the container over his coffee table. He reaches for TK, wrapping his arms around his waist and noising TK’s neck. Carlos grins when he hears TK’s groan.

“Your mother is really something,” TK tells him after a while and Carlos is glad that he can hear the fondness in his voice. “You know, she only gave me the recipe after I sent her a selfie and I quote: ‘I’m only doing this because I want my grandbabies to have green eyes”. 

Carlos rolls his head back with laughter. That sounds exactly like his mami.

“Carlota Reyes is a sucker for green eyes. Better not disappoint her then, hun?” Carlos asks.

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” TK answers, leaning in for a kiss before teasing, “Bet our kid will have her wrapped around their tiny little fingers, hun?” TK’s green eyes sparkle with mischief and Carlos can’t help but commiserate with his mami because he is already wrapped around TK Strand's fingers and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

[buckybarnesthehotshot]

my escape iv - family ties

Series summary: Astrid Lokisdottir (OC) grew up on the Isle of the Lost with her father, Loki Odinson. Plagued by nightmares, she’s presented with an escape plan and memories of a woman, memories which aren’t hers.

series masterlist

Series warnings: spoilers, swearing, mean Loki, kidnapping, I’m not following canon timelines, all characters except for Astrid are not mine, Loki is kind of OOC, the story focuses more on (spoiler alert lmao) Astrid and mother!reader’s relationship

character relationships if that’s a thing: Astrid x Harry Hook, Astrid x dad! Loki, Loki x wife! reader, Astrid x mom! reader, goddess of hysteria! reader

A/N: WE BOUTTA DO MARVEL STUFF IN THE NEXT CHAPTER LEZGOOO

       “How are you and my dad close?” Mal piped, following after the black-haired girl as they made their way out of the cave.

       “My father’s the God of Mischief, your father is the God of the Underworld. They’re both powerless gods booted to a pathetic rock, I’d find it suspicious if they didn’t end up becoming the best of friends,” Astrid chuckled as she took a turn through one of the Isle’s passageways.

       “I never saw it that way,” Mal mumbled, trying to keep up with the older girl.

       “Of course, you didn’t. You refuse to acknowledge anything that relates to your father,” Astrid chuckled dryly, reading Mal’s expression to get a reaction from her.

       “Did you know that I was his daughter?” Mal questioned, raising a brow at Astrid.

       “It was pretty obvious when he told everyone to stay out of your way. Your mother? She only had influence over the northern side of the Isle. The south side is where our dads reign,” Astrid grinned proudly, reminiscing on the times she was by their side whenever they were causing a little mischief.

       “He did that?” Mal questioned, stopping in her tracks as she processed the information given to her by Astrid.

       “Of course, he did. He loves you like every father would their daughter,” Astrid shrugged nonchalantly.

       “I’m pretty sure you’re the only one on the Isle who actually has a good relationship with her father,” Celia’s nose scrunched up in disgust.

       “That’s because we only had each other…that and the fact that he knows my mother would kill him if he abandoned me on this rock,” Astrid shrugged, kicking away the rocks surrounding her feet as she walked.

       “Who exactly is your mother?” Mal questioned, never once remembering any mentions of Astrid’s mom.

       “The Goddess of Hysteria, of course. Dad never seemed to mention her name, though. I believe talking about mother pains him,” Astrid shrugged, smiling widely.

       “I learned a bit about the realms in Auradon, your mother’s name is Y/N,” Mal’s mouth lay agape, how did she not see the resemblance?

       “How is she? Did she mention me?” Y/N’s eyes shone brightly with curiosity. 

       “Odin said she was on probation, so she was on her ‘best behavior’ which basically meant she didn’t talk at all,” Mal shrugged nervously. Y/N smiled sadly; at least she knew her mom was alive, right? However, she couldn’t help but wonder what her mom was on probation for. Did she do something wrong when Loki and Astrid were booted to the Isle?

       “Did Odin mention what she was on probation for?” Y/N’s brows furrowed as though she was in deep thought.

       “No, he didn’t. Look, after we defeat Audrey, you’ll see her again; you’ll be a happy family,” Mal smiled sadly as she discreetly crossed her fingers behind her back. It was petty, but she was Maleficent’s daughter; petty ran in her blood.

       “Is it just me or am I the only one who’s just noticing Astrid is a spitting image of her dad?” Celia pointed out, staring at Astrid. The girl smirked, proud of her roots.

       “You even smirk like your dad,” Mal giggled. It was true. Nearly everything about the girl mirrored her father’s features. Her sharp bone structure, pale skin, and raven-black hair matched his. However, Loki always seemed to point out what features she got from her mom. He always seemed to make it a point to remind her she had her mother’s eyes.

       The three arrived at the bridge between Auradon and the Isle and they were met with stares from the other VKs. Astrid rolled her eyes, knowing they were staring at her.

       “What made you decide to bring Astrid with you?” Carlos raised a brow, pointing a finger at the e/c-eyed girl. Her brows furrowed in annoyance.

       “She’s the only reason I even have the ember!” Mal exclaimed, smiling proudly at Astrid as she gave the girl a friendly nudge.

       “How do we know we can trust her?” Jay questioned, raising a brow at a girl.

       “You don’t, but you have half a promise from me,” Astrid cut in before proceeding to walk down the bridge. Jay gave a begrudging look towards Mal as the girl just shrugged in response.

       Before the raven-haired girl could get far, they heard two distinguishable screams of excitement; the sound of the voices of Harry Hook and Gil as they broke through the barrier.

       “Hey, guys. We’re just coming for a wee visit,” the Scottish pirate boy grinned at the group. The seven—well six, excluding Astrid—blocked off the two. Amidst the chaos, the shining blue ember slipped from Mal’s grasp and onto the bridge. Harry, quick on his feet, used his hook to plunge the ember into the deep ocean beneath the bridge.

       “NO!” Astrid exclaimed, rushing after the ember, nearly falling into the ocean. Mal was shocked at Astrid’s reaction. She didn’t think the brunette cared much about saving Auradon. Of course, her intentions were not in the interest of Auradon.

       Her mind scrambled to find a way to explain the situation to Hades. He was going to be fuming if he found out she let Mal drop the ember into the ocean. She smirked, remembering she was the goddess of chaos, did Hades actually think she would be responsible for once? She chuckled, staring at the spot in the ocean the ember fell into.

       From that spot, a green slimy tentacle surfaced, catching the ember in a vise grip. Harry and Gil chuckled excitedly knowing who caught the ember.

[randomestfandoms-ocs]

HSMTMTS Scenes

So since I’ve been rewatching HSMTMTS lately and getting back on my oc bullshit, I kind of accidentally started writing some scenes/snippets so I figured I’d make a list to keep track!  Ik that I’m probably the only person currently on that vibe so I won’t be offended if there’s no interest haha but oh well!

Rachel Bowen:

Big Red’s basement after Miss Jenn is on probation

Cafeteria during the Miss Jenn performance; panic attack ft. Ricky being the best brother and Mike being a good dad

Opening night panic attack

Dylan Efron:

Big Red’s basement after Miss Jenn is on probation

Auditions

E.J. asks about her mom

Talking about when she learned to dance

Lucy Salazar-Roberts:

Lucy sees the cast list

Gina asks why she didn’t audition for Gabriella

Lana Evans:

Lana talks about auditioning for Sharpay

Lana and Carlos talk about High School Musical

Carlos tells Miss Jenn about Lana

“Troy would have been on time”

[raindrop-on-a-spiderweb]

What's the most serious sentence you're thinking for Leonardo if he gets convicted? Big if, because he's unbelievably and unfairly lucky.

You could not be more right, he keeps consistently getting off scot-free from things that would have ended anyone else's life and career. This is no different.

It depends on what they nail him on. Connect him to a murder, perhaps Carlo Varetti, with or without corroborating witnesses? Possible death sentence. Corruption, pimping, drug running? Possibly life. Corruption? Anything from 10-15 years, 20-30 years, 1-5 years, or probation depending on how much corruption and what the jury decides. Or they fail to convict him on anything, in which he gets off scot free and probably even back to his mayoral position.

There are a lot of outside factors influencing the decision as well, so it's very up in the air at this point.

[seat-safety-switch]

There are three big heroes in the American pantheon of modern-day gods: the crusading attorney on the side of the people, the trailer-park grifter, and the guy who drives a W-body Chevrolet. Yes indeed: whether it be a hogged-out Lumina or a gently-miled, baby-diaper-wiped Grand Prix, all the world loves a W-body driver. It wasn’t always this way, though.

When the W-body was first introduced, way back in 1988, the world simply wasn’t ready. These were futuristic, sleek Space Shuttles for the road. American drivers wanted a more robust, rear-wheel-drive chassis that can do common everyday tasks like jumping across a damaged bridge in Hazzard County, destroying a logging camp, or getting revenge on the Devil Himself for casting your daughter into Hell. Chevy wasn’t daunted by this initial lack of success: they came back with more front-wheel-drive personal luxury cars than Toyota could shake a Caldina at. They would simply force everyone to love the W-body, as they had loved it.

Soon, nearly every storied General Motors model name had been subsumed into the “slightly large coupe” chassis. Cutlass, Lumina, even Monte Carlo: if your uncle’s probation officer drove one in the 70s, then it was now a name on the perfect family vehicle with which to take the fight to the Chrysler Intrepid, the cloud-car nemesis to all things GM. A cynic would say they did this on purpose, to prop up flagging midsize sedan sales by slapping any name with positive focus-group opinions onto this chassis.

Now, perhaps there is some truth to this: 80s and early-90s GM largely had no idea what they were doing, because the quality of cocaine had decreased markedly due to the semi-success of the War on Drugs. It also helped that the Japanese (always referred to as “The Imports”) were going through a bit of a tough time, with the average salaryman in Nippon now no longer able to afford two six-hundred-horsepower fire-breathing all-wheel-steering Mitsubishi personal luxury coupes and having to settle instead for a cheaper, more reliable family sedan. Without all that pressure, it didn’t really hurt GM any to chuck a 120-horsepower V6 into a Buick and tell their dealers to eat it or beat it.

However, if you look beyond the narrow sociopolitical context of the introduction of the W-body, you’ll find something beautiful. These fucking things seem to run forever, their automotive cockroachdom only to be surpassed by the J-bodied Cavaliers and Sunfires a scant few years later. Now, nothing on them works, but you can still get to your job at the Stripper Mart on I-82 without ever wondering if the temperature gauge is actually working. And that’s the true American way.